Box Score
BRIDGEWATER, Va. — Bridgewater College held off an Averett rally in the final minutes for a 80-74 win over the Cougars on Sunday during the final day of the Don Glick Classic.
Averett (10-3), which trailed by as much as 21 in the second half, whittled the Bridgewater (2-1) lead down to three late, but the Cougars couldn't get any closer. For the third consecutive game, the Cougars were done in by getting behind early. However, this time it seemed as though Averett might change their luck.
Brandon Malone's steal on an inbounds pass and layup at the other end cut the Bridgewater lead down to 69-61 with 5:19 to play. Following an Eagles timeout, senior
Jeff Wehling made a steal and sophomore
Kenny Hart nailed a 3-pointer to chop that deficit down to five.
The Cougars continued to chip away as Ruben Pierce's 3-pointer with 3:01 left cut Bridgewater's lead down to 72-69. The Eagles eventually answered with a Dominic Trawick 3-pointer moments later as Bridgewater held off the Cougars late.
Trawick, who was the tournament MVP, led all scorers with 27 points.
Hart finished with a team-high 20 points for the Cougars and was also named to the all-tournament team. Senior
Chad Hardway added 19 points off the bench and senior
Brandon Malone added 14 points.
Bridgewater took control at the start of the game, building a 28-14 lead with 7:03 to play in the first half. Hardway knocked down three 3-pointers in a two-minute span to help Averett get back within single digits, but the Eagles ended the half on a 13-3 run to take a 49-31 lead into the locker rooms.
Averett returns to action on Tuesday at Guilford College at 7 p.m.